Final answer:
The ability to conduct an impulse is facilitated by the sodium-potassium pump, a mechanism of active transport that uses ATP energy to move sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient necessary for nerve impulse transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability to conduct an impulse in cells is brought about by the sodium-potassium pump. This mechanism of active transport is crucial for maintaining an electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane. Through a series of steps, this pump moves three sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and two potassium ions (K+) into the cell against their concentration gradients, utilizing ATP for energy. The carrier proteins involved in this pump bind with these specific ions, change shape, and thus move the ions across the membrane. The result of this process is a charge imbalance, which is key for the function of neurons and muscle cells, among others.
The sodium-potassium pump is essential for the normal function of cells, especially in nerve and muscle tissues, creating a difference in charge across their membranes which enables nerve impulses to travel. This active transport mechanism requires energy from ATP, and involves specific carrier proteins that facilitate the movement of ions against their natural concentration gradients. The correct answer to the question 'The ability to conduct an impulse is brought about by the ________?' is B) sodium-potassium pump.